200 BIRDS OP NORFOLK. 



ness, at the close of tlie dreary winter. Later still, 

 when the spring, in all the richness of its bloom 

 and foliage, has attained its perfection, amidst sunshine 

 and showers, this " gay gallant," having won the heart 

 of his more sombre spouse, shares with her the cares 

 and joys of the nesting season; and, in our orchards 

 and gardens, we find that marvellously beautiful result 

 of their joint labours, that dainty compound of moss, 

 wool, and lichens, which draws forth an involuntary 

 Oh ! of admiration, from the lips even, of that thought- 

 less ^^ do-no-good," the bird-nesting boy. Perched 

 amidst the blossoms on the apple and pear trees, the 

 male, in all the brightness of his nuptial plumes, looks 

 handsomer than ever, and in orchards, plantations, or 

 extensive woods, his loud rich notes are mingled and 

 blended with the joyous medley of our summer songsters. 

 Many are the charges brought, by irate gardeners, agamst 

 the entire race, though the injury they will do, to the 

 young radishes and other garden produce, may be easily 

 averted with a little trouble ; and if feathers and string, 

 stretched over the beds, cease to act as a " caution," a 

 little powder fired, without shot, will scare off the 

 rogues, and not double the mischief, by cutting the fruit 

 trees to pieces to kill one victim. Whatever their depre- 

 dations may be, at least, they are but for a very short 

 period, for as soon as the young are hatched, there are 

 no birds so assiduous, in their useful occuj)ation of clear- 

 ing our gardens from insects and caterpHlars, as the 

 chaffinches, and their incessant labours, in this respect, 

 throughout the summer, well merit a return in winter 

 grain, or even a salad in spring. In autumn the mmi- 

 bers of our resident birds are largely increased by mi- 

 gratory flocks, which, apparently arrive, for the most 

 part, on our coast by night, judging in this, as in 

 many other instances, from the specimens known to be 

 kiUed at that season through contact with our lighthouse 



